Indoor plants that thrive during winter

Cyclamen for all the vibrancy

There’s a reason why this is a firm favourite of plant lovers. While us humans might feel nippy at 12°C, this flower is living its best life during the colder part of the year, and flaunts a huge variety of colours. 

Top tip: water it from the base and beware of overwatering to avoid any rot. 

Amaryllis is huge and magnificent

Hunting for a Christmas gift or just want to cheer up a dark room? An indoor plant, amaryllis grows tall with pink, red, green or white petals. After flowering, it likes a rest period in a cool room or basement while it gears up for next year’s buds. 

Top tip: feed amaryllis a high-potash liquid feed such as tomato food when in growth to encourage lots of flowers. 

Jasmine shares a sweet scent

Hello pink buds and white, star-shaped flowers! And hello rich fragrance that drifts through the living room! Indeed, this climbing plant does well indoors during the winter and may well go on to flourish in the garden once the sun comes out again. 

Top tip: there are many types of jasmine, both true jasmines and relatives, each calling for its own mode of love and care. Read the specific instructions on the label to help your plant thrive. 

A Christmas cactus brings the festive party

This houseplant doesn’t just cope with cold environments, it won’t begin budding until there’s a dip in temperature – making it an excellent companion for wintertime. Unlike other types of cacti, the Christmas variety comes from forests and has no spines. Rather, you get flattened stems throughout the year and generous, brightly coloured flowers in December. 

Top tip: since Christmas cacti are short-day plants, they need enough total darkness in the evening and nighttime while their buds form. If you usually sit your plant in a room with lamps or other artificial lights, move it to a darker space for this period. 

A Norfolk island pine is your mini tree

With a squint, this one looks like a Christmas tree and would sit prettily in a festive pot. It’s actually a tropical plant that likes to be at a decent household temperature but, while you’re off on holiday, can tolerate the odd chilly few days. 

Top tip: this plant won’t thank you for putting it next to hot radiators, air vents or draughty windows. Instead, try to position it somewhere the air temperature is cool to moderate, and group it with other plants to help its humidity levels. 

Aspidistra wins hearts for its resilience

Known as the ‘cast iron plant’, aspidistra shines in tricky conditions including cold rooms (and perhaps with little watering if you forget over Christmas). Find a chunky pot and position this bold plant beside an armchair for a leafy friend while watching TV or reading.

Top tip: keep the plant away from harsh direct winter sun and wipe its leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks to remove dust.